CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Sandbach’s historic Old Hall Hotel are pleading with council chiefs to slap an order on the owners to force them to repair the crumbling building.

The Save the Old Hall Action Group (SOHAG) wants Congleton Borough Council to impose an urgent works notice on asset managers Criterion and owners the Wellington Pub Company to secure emergency repairs to the derelict Grade One-listed 17th Century building.

The group says the order would prompt owners to carry out the work or force them to sell up.

But council chiefs say they are in negotiations with a potential buyer, the Marston’s Pub Company, and do not want to jeopardise any sale.

“They have the power to make sure the work is done and save the building.

“The best way to push a deal through would be to prompt the owners to sell by serving them with an order.”

On Saturday, the action group spent the day clearing the hotel’s grounds.

Mr Thurston said: “It had become an embarrassment. Thanks to a lot of hard work it now looks presentable and will hopefully attract a few buyers.”

The hall was recently named on English Heritage’s Buildings at Risk Register as priority ‘A’ – the highest level.

Council local planning and economic policy manager Richard House said: “We are working with Criterion to try and secure the sale to Marston’s and do not want to take action which may prejudice any potential deal.

“We are also in negotiations with English Heritage about financing any urgent works.”

The hall was put on the market last year for offers in excess of £1 million.